First off, people don't even know for sure how this team will gel. Nobody knows if they are good enough to win at a high level for an extended period of time. Yeah, people assume, but that's not good enough.

The Lakers FO has taken a blind stab in the dark. They are "wishing" this will prove fruitful, not "planning".

I think there's a big difference between the two. .

No future? Bynum, Ariza, Farmar, Turiaf and Vujacic. Lakers are one of those teams that have the right mix of veterans and young guys. You hate all things Kobe though.

I don't get it. Even with Pau Gasol, the Lakers only have the 9th highest payroll in the NBA. What is the salary cap/luxury tax level this season? The Lakers are sitting at $71 mil right now.

By the time their "youngsters" are up for a new contract, Odom's $14 million will be off the books. Looking at their numbers, the only really bad salary they have is VRad.

bynum is up for an extension at the end of next season. now they could let him become an UFA, but retaining him is gonna cost. again the only thing it really limits is off season FA acquisitions, which they presumably wont need.

first off...they will exercise the team option for the rookie contract for EVERYONE they want to stay. next year bynum is in his last year of his rookie contract. Then they need to extend him with a max. By that time odom is off the books when his salary kicks in.

as for farmar, why won't you exercise his option when you can match any salary you want.

bynum is up for an extension at the end of next season. now they could let him become an UFA, but retaining him is gonna cost. again the only thing it really limits is off season FA acquisitions, which they presumably wont need.

The first sentence was enough for me to stop reading; NY Knicks are way below .500 while LA Lakers are way above .500.

Anyways, keep posting stupid stuff if you must.

Why dont you read the whole post before you reply you dumbass, the OP makes good points which Laker Gro0pies choose to ignore. The Lakers have a small window to win a Chip' with their current situation. Mitch Kupchak has done it again to you guys yet yall are blinded by all the hype of Gasol being traded to your team. Its now or never for the Lakers and I dont think its happening so the gamble is most likely a failure.

What will we do? Our roster is not only one of the most talented teams in the league and has so much depth but we're also young. I feel like we're gonna suffer watching this team. Not only that but we have Phil, his experience is not needed. Like even with our MLE? Players are not known to accept cheaper contracts to play for contenders ala Malone, Payton, Posey etc so I don't know what we will do. I wonder what Phil wants more? Draft picks or success? I really don't know considering he has a hard time playing rookies.

Enough with my sarcasm. You really are a joke. Lakers could have gotten KG for DJ Mbenga and draft picks and you would still find something bad about it.

It's not about the age of the players on the roster, but more with the salary slot attributed them.

Vlad and Walton may be in their 20's, but they are being paid to be regulars. not bench players.

Adding Gasol takes away the ability to make up for previous contract mistakes the FO may have done. So if this team isn't good enough, they'll have to add mid-level on top of mid-level in order to compensate for prior contractual mistakes.

The Lakers salary drops to $55 million in 09/10, how the hell do we come up with $90 million in player salaries! Even with Bynum's max and extra cash for Farmar and Turiaf the next year????? WTF!?! Odom isn't going to ask for a max deal!